Christ's redeeming work at Calvary (Quality: Good)

[0:00] When you read the Lord Jesus' words and he speaks to you, he doesn't speak to them.

[0:13] He could do so and he rightly would do so. The whole of the Church of Christ is in his heart. He took them to Calvary with him and he suffered and he bled and he died for them.

[0:27] And he rose triumphant for them. But the promise is, and this sweet, blessed and glorious promise is spoken to the youths.

[0:40] It is individual, it is personal, it's just as if the Lord Jesus Christ was talking to one. He's speaking in the singular and he's speaking to believers.

[0:53] And as we said in these chapters 14, 15 and 16, he seeks to comfort his distressed and sorrowing ones for they had trouble of heart.

[1:08] Oh, it isn't just that Jesus Christ had made them aware of his impending sufferings and his death.

[1:21] They were grieved within. They sorrowed in their heart. Why did they sorrow? Judas never sorrowed. He was willing to sell Christ for 30 pieces of silver.

[1:37] And remorse was found in his heart. And he hung himself. Took his own life. Destroyed himself. But these people, these 11 disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ and the people of God, as it were, within that compass.

[1:59] They grieved within their hearts. And why did they grieve? Because the love of Christ was within. Their heart was troubled. And so these words and many other we could, I was intentionally to read the 16th chapter.

[2:15] But right through these three chapters are these words of consolation from Jesus Christ who is distressed and troubled people. We read the 14th chapter this morning.

[2:29] And he speaks right through that chapter of what he has done for his people in preparation for his departure. And I thought of those words.

[2:42] Peace I live with you. My peace. That's different, you know. Have you ever had the peace? Have you ever had peace in your heart? In the midst of tribulation.

[2:54] But it's not any peace. It's not just a quietness of time. It's not just the mind in a settled situation. It's an inward peace. And it comes from Christ.

[3:07] And it's through his cross. Peace I live with you. My peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth. Give I unto you. Yet let not your heart be troubled.

[3:18] Neither let it be afraid. It was only Christ. I feel I can say this. It was only the Lord Jesus knew the depths of the pathway which he was about to enter.

[3:30] I believe these disciples with all love to Christ was not aware of the depths. Was not aware of the principle of it all.

[3:42] The substance of it all. That Christ must needs be crucified. That he must needs lay his life down. So the words begin.

[3:52] Let not your heart be troubled. The humanity of the Lord Jesus must needs die. Now there is a very great and sacred portion in these words.

[4:06] Which I hope we may look at tonight for a few moments. And I feel if we might use the word reason. I don't use it as the world uses it.

[4:18] But the reason or the purpose rather. That these words are spoken to the comfort of the Lord's dear people. Personally. Personally.

[4:28] Both to these eleven and also to the church of Christ. Individually and personally. Where is the comfort my friends? The comfort is in this. That he shall never die.

[4:40] That he is eternal in other words. I believe that is what. And oh. The Lord pardon if we take a wrong view of scripture.

[4:52] But his words was this. You believe in God. Believe also in me. Now they would believe in God as being an eternal God. From everlasting to everlasting. Thou art God.

[5:03] Now they would have been brought up on such truths. And again of course we must. Ever be reminded of how often the Lord Jesus. Draws their attention to the Trinity.

[5:16] And especially to his father. I believe if you go back to the tenth chapter. Where he speaks of his dear people. As he describes them as sheep.

[5:28] He said none can pluck them from his hand. And none can pluck them from his father's hand. And then he says I and my father are one. My friends. First of all then.

[5:39] You believe in God. In the eternity of God. In the unchangeable nature of God. In that he is from everlasting to everlasting then.

[5:51] As we already have quoted. And so he goes on to say. Believe also in me. My friends. What a comfort that is to the Lord's people.

[6:02] Paul the apostle writing. As he closes his epistle. To the Hebrews. He says Jesus Christ. The same yesterday. And today.

[6:13] And forever. There is the substance of this word in my heart anyway. Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in me. They are going to see some changes.

[6:24] They are going to see some most remarkable changes. They are going to see the Lord of life and glory. This man. Who spake as never man spake. Who went about doing good.

[6:36] Healing the afflictions of the people. That were brought to him. Or were drawn to him. They are going to see him taken. And by wicked hands crucified. And they are going to be the witness also.

[6:47] Of this blessed and glorious person. Laying his life down upon the cross at Calvary. And then they are going to come to a time. When they are going to see the evidence of the resurrection.

[7:01] And so he reminds them of it. My friends. This is the substance of this word. The ever living. Unchangeable. Faithful.

[7:13] Jesus Christ. My friends. And every believer will know him. Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in me.

[7:23] Now. My mind went today. Or this afternoon. To various places that we might have read. That would. Associate such.

[7:34] A sacred doctrine. Of the. Blessings of this glorious person. Whose life. Is eternal. The trinity. In unity.

[7:45] Is eternal. Eternal. Now. I read. As I said. The seventh chapter. Of the Hebrews. Hebrews. And of course. The apostle.

[7:57] Is forever trying to. In his epistle. To bring before the Hebrews. The believing Jews. The sacred difference. Between the old covenant.

[8:08] And the new. And to bring before them. The weakness. Of the old covenant. And I don't mean that. In a. In a wrong sense. My friends. The Lord raised up the old covenant.

[8:20] The Lord prescribed. And described. And taught. Moses and Aaron. Of the old covenant. And what they should do. And how they should. Administer the old covenant.

[8:31] It was of God. But there were those. Truths. Which were. To be learned. By the old covenant. Of which we may rightly.

[8:42] Call the weaknesses of it. And of course. The great. Weakness of it. Was of course. That priests. Were made. And ordered. Under ordered. And lived.

[8:53] Until they died. And then someone else. Took their place. It was. The order of things. The priesthood. But it was. Concerning that. Which drew my mind to it.

[9:03] I was wondering. What to read. I looked at various places. I looked in the revelations. Of the words. Of the Lord Jesus. Who speaks. Of his.

[9:14] Continuing. Eternal. State. But then I came. To this chapter. By so much. Was Jesus. Made a surety.

[9:25] Of a better testament. And they truly. Were. Many priests. Because they were not. Suffered to continue. By reason of death. Now that's the frailty. Of the old covenant.

[9:37] The priests. Came. And the priests. Went. And new ones. Were raised up. And old ones. Passed away. But this new covenant. Blessing. But this man.

[9:48] The man that we have. In the fourteenth. Of John. Who speaks. These comfortable words. These words. Of consolation. To his dear ones. But this man.

[9:59] Because he continueth. Ever. Hath an unchangeable. Priesthood. Wherefore he is. Able also. To save them. To the utmost. Now.

[10:10] That word. Utmost. Means. Evermore. Evermore. Some may have a view. That utmost. Means. Well. In a certain sense.

[10:21] Degrees. Foul. Offness. Black sinners. And so on. But it means. Forever. Evermore. But. Wherefore he is able.

[10:32] Also. To save them. To the uttermost. That come unto God. By him. Why? Seeing. He ever liveth. To make intercession.

[10:42] For them. There's the comfort. In this text. Oh. What did that hymn writer say? Change and decay. And all around I see. Oh. Thou that changeth not.

[10:54] Abide with me. Oh. You may have changing scenes. In experience. You're one day hot. And one day cold. As the poet says. But Jesus is the same.

[11:06] Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in me. Those of you who. And I. Oh. I would to God. I could say this. In all honesty.

[11:17] Every one of you. That knows. The Lord Jesus Christ. My experience. That have been brought. To seek him. For mercy. That have been brought. To seek him.

[11:28] For. The knowledge. And application. Of his shed blood. That pray. Through him. To the father. In glory. My friends. You'll have changes.

[11:40] In your life. Those that are without. Those that. Have no changes. Fear not God. We read. But the church of Christ. Have changes. But the.

[11:51] The Godhead. Doesn't change. The Christ of God. Cannot change. The Holy Ghost. Cannot change. Our father. In glory. Cannot change.

[12:01] But my friends. Then. This is the comfort. To these people. They were not. To understand. What was to take place. They were to go back fishing. They were going.

[12:14] To the tomb. And. They were going to behold. Wondrous things. But they couldn't attain to it. There were going to be those. That walked to Emmaus. And were sad. As they discussed. These things. They could not.

[12:25] Fathom out. And I mean that. And I hope you'll forgive. The way I'm speaking. But they could not. Understand. These truths. But my friends. The truth was set before them. Ye believe in God.

[12:37] Believe also in me. You that have known him. In a saving way. Well you say. Perhaps at the moment. I seem to have lost sight of him. The change is not with him.

[12:49] The change is with you. I've said it enough times. It's repetition. I know. My friends. He cannot change. Blessed be his name. We sometimes feel that.

[12:59] He would be just. If he withdrew from us. Because of our sin. And inequity. And our fallen state. Or our slips and falls. Our hard heart. Our rebellious nature.

[13:11] Our fallen condition. And sometimes rebellious condition. My friends. It can't be so. He is unchangeable. Oh you read.

[13:22] Again. We would look at the Hebrews. And it comes to mind. In the first chapter of the Hebrews. We read this.

[13:34] And thou Lord. In the beginning. Hast laid the foundation of the earth. And the heavens are the works of thine hands. That they shall perish. But thou remainest.

[13:45] And they shall all wax old as doth a garment. And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up. And they shall be changed. But thou art the same. And thy years shall have no end.

[13:58] And thy years shall not fail. My friends. There is the comfort of the Lord's people. They were entering into a time of deep distress.

[14:10] And again. You would also be reminded of the words we read this morning. He says to them. I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you. And then he says.

[14:23] Yet a little while in the world seeth me no more. But ye see me. Because I live. Ye shall live also. My friends. There is the comfort. There is where the church of Christ.

[14:33] Derives its consolation. Of an ever living. An unchangeable. Faithful. And glorious high priest. Jesus Christ the righteous. Let not your heart be troubled.

[14:46] You believe in God. Believe also in me. Deity could not die. Holy humanity must needs die. He came into this world as a babe.

[14:59] Contracted to a span. There in the manger. Some of us heard yesterday. There in the manger. Lay God. There in the manger. Lay God. My friends.

[15:09] Contracted to a span. In a body like our own. With one exception. It is sinless. It is holy. But it was to be laid down. I have power.

[15:21] To lay it down. I have power. To take it again. He said. This have I received. Of my father. My friends. Oh the comfort this is. You know.

[15:32] As we grow. In years. And go on. In the way. And we see the departures. From this time. State. Into a never ending. Eternity. Younger ones are taken.

[15:43] Older ones are taken. But all. In all the sorrows. Of the way. There is this consolation. That he remains. The same yesterday.

[15:54] And today. And forever. But then. We must also speak. This evening. Of his promise.

[16:07] And to. Of the work. Of the Holy Ghost. Let not your heart. Be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in me. Though I shall be.

[16:18] Taken and by wicked hands. Crucified. Believe also in me. We could have gone to. We could have read. The 16th chapter. And again. He brings their sorrows.

[16:29] To the. To the forefront. In his. In his discourse. To them. He now. Therefore. Of sorrow. But I will see you again. There was the evidence. Of what we said. That he's an ever living.

[16:40] An ever loving. Great high priest. The day will come. When he shall die. But the day will come. When he shall be. Again in their midst.

[16:51] The resurrection day. The day of revelation. They shall see him again. There was the promise. But what was he going to do? Well.

[17:02] This is the promise. My friends. And it's spoken. To all believers. And I said this morning. Oh. That the Lord. Would individually. And personally. Put power in these words.

[17:14] In your heart. I can't do it. My friends. As an able. I may try and speak. A few words. But the Lord. Write it on your heart. As a precious promise.

[17:25] Because you'll be able. To rest on that promise. On your dying bed. In my father's house. Are many mansions. Now again. The eternity of Jesus Christ.

[17:36] Is here. If it were not so. I would have told you. I go to prepare. A place for you. And if I go. And prepare a place for you. I'll come again. And receive you unto myself.

[17:48] That where I am. There you may be also. There's such a wonderful view. Here in this promise. Of what we may so call. The prospect. Of what's laid up.

[17:59] Before the church of Christ. And you and I. If we're amongst them. Every individual. Person. The bride of Christ. Every individual member.

[18:11] Of his mystical body. Everyone whose name. Is recorded. In the book of life. This is written. And said for them. And to them. Because it speaks.

[18:21] Of a time. When time should be no more. And I believe this. You know. If the Lord. Should so speak. These words. In our hearts. Then the Lord. Will take the trouble. Out of the trouble.

[18:32] As we said this morning. If your heart. Is troubled. Over these things. If you mourn. Over sin. And after him. If you're distressed. And you're found. At the mercy seat. As indeed.

[18:43] The publican was. Praying for mercy. And the Lord. Applies such a promise. As this. To you. My friends. It would take the trouble. Out of your heart. And it would bring your heart.

[18:55] Into a state of peace. And of quietness. And of joy. And of gladness. Well here is the promise then. And I believe this. The work of the Holy Ghost.

[19:06] Is in this. As well as the work. Of the Lord Jesus. In my Father's house. Are many mansions. If it were not so. I would have told you. I go to prepare. A place for you.

[19:17] Now let's just stop there. For a moment. And I believe sometimes. That we may be. I would go to say. Misguided. In a certain sense.

[19:27] That the Lord Jesus. Is not here. Speaking of heaven. As far as where he's going. He's going to Calvary. My friends. If he never went to Calvary.

[19:38] There'd be no heaven. There'd be no heaven. What is Calvary for? Why did he go to Calvary? What was the point of Calvary?

[19:49] We might say. My friends. Solemnly and sacredly. It was the place. Where the sins of the church. Shall be forever removed. Because Jesus Christ.

[20:00] Went there as a sin bearer. Oh the grief. And the sorrow. That was found. That was felt. By Jesus Christ. My friends.

[20:11] The ignominious death. Brought sorrow. To be nailed to a tree. And to be. Crucified. Between heaven and earth.

[20:22] My friends. It's. Beyond description. The agonies of the body. It's beyond description. But my friends. He went there. As a sin bearer. There is agony.

[20:34] Undescribable. There is sorrow. That is. Beyond our understanding. But my friends. It was that he could. Fulfill the promise. That he has made. In my father's house.

[20:45] So many mansions. If it were not so. I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. My friends. He went to Calvary. So that the church's sins.

[20:55] Might be removed. There was no other good enough. To pay the price. Of sin. He only. Could unlock the gate. Of heaven. And let us see.

[21:06] My friends. There was no other good enough. Well we have read. In our. In our reading. Of. This. Wonderful promise. Wherefore. Is able also.

[21:17] To save them. To the uttermost. Forevermore. That come unto God. By him. And he was going to Calvary. If it were not so. I would have told you.

[21:28] I go to prepare. A place for you. And this is why he came. To do away with the sacrifices. That were of old time. To do away with the priesthood.

[21:40] In all its weaknesses. And indeed to. Before the. Before his father in glory.

[21:51] To present himself. A sacrifice for sin. To lay his life down. To shed blood. Which in itself.

[22:01] Is able to cleanse. From all sin. To shed holy blood. Oh. The efficacy of that blood. My friends. It is able.

[22:12] And it does. Cleanse from all sin. This apostle. The apostle writing. In his epistle. Said. And the blood of Jesus Christ. God's son.

[22:23] Cleanseth us. From all sin. I go. To prepare. A place for you. My friends. If you ever have a view.

[22:34] A right view. Of heaven. And there's some fanciful ideas. What heaven is like. Fanciful ideas. My friends. But we can only go.

[22:44] What the scripture reveals. Heaven is that holy. Happy place. Where sin. No more defiles. But it is where Christ is.

[22:55] That is heaven. I go. To prepare. A place for you. There was a work. Given him to do. Before eternity. In eternity past. Before time. That work.

[23:07] Was to redeem. His people. From their sins. That's why he was given. That beautiful name. That is the name. The father loves. That's the name. The people of God love. And at the name of Jesus.

[23:19] Every niche about. Now that's the judgment day. But my friends. We're speaking now. Of the day of. Of redemption. The day when the Lord Jesus Christ.

[23:30] Was to lay his life down. I go to prepare. A place for you. In the room. And place. And stead. Of a number. That no man could number.

[23:41] This glorious one. Offered himself. For their sins. And in that place. Opened a fountain. For sin and uncleanness. I go.

[23:52] I go. You might shorten the words. And only the Lord. Can put power in such words. I go for you. I go to prepare. A place for you. Now.

[24:03] My friends. I close. This morning. I said. I said. This. That if the Lord Jesus Christ. Has gone to Calvary. To prepare a place. For his people. It is necessary.

[24:13] That that people. Should be prepared. For that place. And I believe. That is the Holy Spirit's work. Within. Let not your heart. Be troubled. Ye believe in God.

[24:25] Believe also in me. In my Father's house. And many mansions. Oh. You just consider it. The Lord enable you. Rightly. And. Unemotionally.

[24:35] To consider such words. Spoken to who? The fallen sons of Adam. Spoken to the fallen sons of Adam. Spoken to those.

[24:46] Whose. Whose sins. Out of Christ. Would. Put them where hope. And mercy. Can never come. But it's spoken to fallen sinners.

[24:57] And Holy Ghost taught sinners. Feel the. Inward. Feel the solemnity. Of sin within. But it's spoken to the people of God.

[25:08] Who are sinners. By birth and practice. I go to prepare a mansion. Oh. Who could describe. The Lord bless us with a view. Of what this mansion is.

[25:20] But. If it were not. So I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And so he. From. Before time. Sets his. Dear people.

[25:32] In his heart. They belong to him. They were given to him. He purchased for them. Eternal life. I am come that they might have life.

[25:43] And that they might have it. More abundantly. And again. In John. Chapter 10. Wasn't it. Yes. John chapter 10. He says. There.

[25:54] I give unto my sheep. Eternal life. Life by his death. My friends. He died. That they might live. He suffered.

[26:06] That they may go free. He shed his blood. That they might be justified. He was delivered for our offenses. And raised again for our justification.

[26:19] I go to prepare a place for you. What a solemn place was Calvary. What a sacred place. What a sacred place. I was reading a little.

[26:30] This afternoon. Of Francis Coval. And I read. How that someone said to him. Oh it was.

[26:41] It was a rector's wife. Wasn't it. Who said to him. How is it that you're preaching. And you haven't been to college. My friends. The answer was. Indeed. So contrary.

[26:52] He said. Well I've. I've. Looked at the scriptures. Down the years. There was his teaching. I read. An account of Mr. Wood. Preaching at Bethel. And.

[27:03] Somebody said. To a minister. About this college business. And he said. I've not been to college. But I've been to Calvary. Well. I could ask the question to you.

[27:14] Have you been to Calvary? The Lord Jesus Christ. Has been to Calvary. You might say. Well the whole church. Went to Calvary. No. But I mean by experience.

[27:25] Have you by faith. Been to Calvary? Have you had a view. Of this glorious one. Who. For his dear people. Suffered in their place. And room instead.

[27:36] Who offered himself. At the bar of God's justice. So that the sins of the church. Be removed. My friends. I say this truthfully. I say it solemnly.

[27:47] Oh I would. That you all have been to Calvary. Oh to have a sacred view. Of that glorious person. Whose face. Was more barred. Than any man. Who suffered.

[27:59] Because of the sins. Of his people. The sin bearer. Bore the sins away. Sin affected the son of God. The sufferings of the son of God. Was because of sin.

[28:10] The church's sins. I go to prepare. A place for you. There's never been a sinner. Gone to glory. With his sin. You know. Never my friends. It can't be so.

[28:22] Sin must needs be put away. And the way it was put away. Is the way of Calvary. You must needs go to Calvary. The apostle. And you something of Calvary.

[28:34] And he spoke. Very pointedly of Calvary. And he said. Concerning this glorious one. Who loved me. And gave himself for me.

[28:45] I go to prepare a place for you. Oh what a sacred work. That was given him. How many times in his life. Was he. Indeed. There was attempts made.

[28:57] To hinder that work. My friends. The work must be accomplished. Now. Let me talk. Let me speak here. About the work of the Holy Ghost. Well we have.

[29:09] And I believe it is. So pointedly. In this 14th chapter. What the Lord Jesus Christ. Has done for his church. But it is also pointedly.

[29:21] What he has sought for the church. He speaks. Of his prayers. For the church. And I will pray the father.

[29:32] And he shall give you. Another comforter. That he may abide. With you forever. Even the spirit of truth. Whom the world. Cannot receive.

[29:43] Because it seeth him not. Neither knoweth him. But ye know him. For he dwelleth with you. And shall be in you. My friends. It is work. To quicken every vessel.

[29:55] Of mercy. Into divine life. Whether you are. A soul of Tarsus. Whether you are. A dying thief. My friends. Every one. He shall quicken. Into divine life.

[30:06] There is something. Very important. You know. About the work. Of the spirit. Not only. Because he. Quickens a dead soul. Into life. Not only. Because as you often.

[30:17] Hear said. He brings. A soul. Into. A needy state. My friends. By faith. The Lord Jesus Christ. Is presented. Before that soul.

[30:28] As the way. Of salvation. My friends. There will be no. Knowledge of salvation. Till there is a need. Of Jesus Christ. And it is the Holy Spirit's work.

[30:39] He shall take of mine. And shall show it unto you. Search the scriptures. For in them. You think. You have eternal life. And they are they. Which testify of me.

[30:50] My friends. As the Holy Spirit. Testified of Jesus Christ. As he's shown you. On the one hand. Your depths of iniquity. As he's shown you. On the one hand.

[31:02] Total abhorrence. God has. Towards sin. But as he's shown you. On the other hand. My friends. What is so precious. And sacred. To a believer.

[31:12] The way of escape. The sufferings. And death of Christ. The offering. Made for sin. For the church. To lay him down. Willingly. In love. To his church.

[31:24] That holy life. And that taking up. Of that holy life. Also. I go. To prepare. A place for you. The Holy Spirit. Will bring you into. And under.

[31:34] His sacred teaching. This is the school. Of Christ. This is the school. Of teaching. My friends. You'll learn. You'll not learn. That at colleges. Of theology. That the Lord. Teach you.

[31:45] In your soul. The need of Jesus Christ. And him crucified. Again. Going back. To the apostles words. Oh. My friends. Would the Lord.

[31:55] Grant us. Such clear. Clear views. Of that glorious one. Oh. He was writing. To the church. At Corinth. And there was trouble.

[32:06] In the church. At Corinth. There was divisions. There was carnality. All sorts of things. Was going wrong. But he said. I desire. To know. Nothing among you.

[32:16] Save Jesus Christ. And him crucified. Would the Lord. Grant us such grace. Then we. When we see. Such things. Which distress. The people of God.

[32:27] My friends. To walk separate. From divisions. But to seek only. Jesus Christ. And him crucified. I go. To prepare. A place for you. And the Holy Spirit. Will prepare.

[32:38] Every one of his people. For this place. He will put it in. He will so work. In their hearts. A desire for heaven. And a desire. For holiness. They will know.

[32:49] By the teaching. Of the spirit. That sinners are borrowed. My friends. Not only to a holy God. But it will distress. A newborn child. Of grace. It will bring them.

[33:00] Under. A sense of guilt. And shame. And distress. Rest of soul. It will bring them. Into the spirit. Of repentance. And confession. This work.

[33:11] I go. To prepare. A place. My friends. It isn't a place. Where. There is. One view of heaven. Which is not right. Oh.

[33:22] Some people view. Heaven is a place. Where there isn't any more trouble. I was going to say. That's the least of it. That's the least of it. It is indeed a place. Where there isn't any more trouble. But it's a place.

[33:33] Where Jesus is. That's what's heaven. That is what is heaven. To the people of God. I go. To prepare. A place for you. And if I go.

[33:43] And prepare. A place for you. I will come again. And receive you. Unto myself. Oh. You think of that union. My friends. Here is the marriage bond. Here is the union.

[33:54] Between Christ. And his church. Here is the bride. And the bridegroom. Brought together. My friends. It's an indissolvable union. None can pluck thee. From the strength. Of Israel's hand.

[34:06] And if I go. And prepare a place. That's not a doubtful word. Of course. My friends. That's just explaining. To these disciples. What he was about to do. I will come again. And receive you.

[34:18] Unto myself. I can't. Put words together. What describes. What a bond. What a union. What a sacred. Blessed place. That is.

[34:29] When a sinner. And a saviour. Are brought together. On what grounds. Are they brought together. On grounds of love. On grounds of mercy. My friends. One of the evidences.

[34:39] Of grace. You know. Is that. As the apostle said. We have passed from death. Unto life. Because we love the brethren. But one of the evidences. Of grace. Is we have passed from death.

[34:50] Unto life. Because we love Jesus Christ. And if I go. And prepare a place. You'll come again. And receive you. Unto myself. What a sacred day.

[35:01] That will be. You and Christ. Christ and you. We love him. Because he first loved us. That is heaven. Oh I say this again. I've said it often enough.

[35:11] Just a brief token. Here below. You may have had it. But it's an earnest. Of what's before. The church of Christ. And your precious soul. If you've known it. A sweet. Sacred time.

[35:22] When Christ and you. Conversed together. We heard his voice. Oh we drew. He drew near to us. He. Indeed. Drew us.

[35:33] With cords of love. My friends. How precious. The Lord Jesus is. In those days. When a sinner. And a saviour. Are brought together. And there's nothing. Between them.

[35:44] I will come again. And receive you. Unto myself. But my friends. Not for a temporary moment. You know. There's been some blessings. Hasn't there?

[35:55] You. That know. The Lord Jesus Christ. There's been some. Blessed times. Hasn't there? Fleeting times. You would argue. Indeed.

[36:06] It is so. In comparison. In comparison. With eternity. Oh. Caesar's a blessing. You've been brought. Into gospel liberty. And you've proved.

[36:17] His presence. In your heart. And in your pathway. But you know. You've returned. Don't you? There's a wilderness. Way to be walked. As I was told. After. The ordinances.

[36:28] Of baptism. There's a wilderness. Way to walk. But my friends. This speaks of. No separation. No separation. You know. That eighth of Romans.

[36:39] No condemnation. No separation. I will come again. And receive you. Unto myself. That where I am. There you may be also. That's the eternity.

[36:50] Of Jesus Christ. That's the glorious. Prospect. Of the people. Of God. They shall be with Christ. Which is far better. Oh. That's a sweet prospect.

[37:02] It's an inheritance. That they shall enter into. Fully. Completely. Without. A cloud between. Oh. Have you seen him. By faith now.

[37:12] But for a fleeting moment. You confess. Have you heard his voice. But for a fleeting moment. Has he broken your heart. But for a fleeting moment. Has he. Drew him.

[37:23] Drew you unto himself. You say. But for a fleeting moment. My friends. The prospect. The best is yet to come. And if I go. And prepare a place for you.

[37:35] I will come again. And receive you. Unto myself. That where I am. There you may be also. My friends. When you lay believers. In the grave. It's a privilege.

[37:46] It isn't hard work. To take a funeral. My friends. When you lay believers. In the grave. What you're laying in the grave. Is all that is sinful. All that is mortal. And sin has done its work.

[37:59] Oh but the redeemed soul. My friends. Oh it's. It's to sound the note of praise. It's to sing of his love. Blessed place to be.

[38:11] My friends. The prospect cheers the heart. Comforts the heart. There shall we see his face. And never. Never sin. And from the rivers of his grace.

[38:23] Drink endless pleasures in. I do know this. You know. When you have. A sacred view of this. My friends. The tribulation of the way. Isn't half as hard.

[38:34] And half as difficult. That is why there's no. Trouble of heart. Then you know. When you have a view of the prospect. The trouble is taken out of the heart. We.

[38:46] We quoted this morning. Lord pardon our complaints. We follow at thy call. The joy prepared. The suffering saints. Will make amends for all.

[38:56] And if I go. And prepare a place for you. I will come again. And receive you unto myself. That where I am. There you may be also.

[39:08] You know. It was said of Israel. They left Goshen. They went on their 40 years. Wilderness journey. And they came to Canyon. They came to Jordan. And then they came to Canyon.

[39:20] And what was said of them. Not a hoof shall be left behind. Well it will be so. With the church of Christ. And if I go. And prepare a place for you.

[39:31] I will come again. Does it not make Jesus Christ precious. Does it not make some. Oh I believe this. It will draw from your heart. A sweet affection.

[39:42] To this glorious person. Who has done so much. Who has done all that is necessary. He could not do more. Who laid his life down.

[39:52] Who rose again. My friends. The world never saw him anymore. The next time the world sees this glorious one. Will be the judgment day. But the people of God saw him.

[40:04] And the people of God will see him. And he will be with them. Throughout their life's journey. And he will take them to himself. If I go and prepare a place for you.

[40:15] I will come again. And receive you unto myself. That where I am. There you may be also. Amen. God willing there's a prayer meeting Wednesday.

[40:30] And I hope to be here. Next Lord's Day. The closing hymn 1033. And Jesus combined.

[41:03] All the riches of grace. What glory and grandeur I see in his face. Jehovah's eternal and co-equal son.

[41:15] Took all our transgressions. And made them his own. Ye children of Zion. Now dry up your tears. For you the redeemer in glory appears.

[41:27] Now he lives. Now he reigns. Now he dwells in the sky. To answer the needy. Whenever they cry. 1033.

[41:39] That's right. All the riches of grace.

[41:59] The world's glory and grandeur I see in the place.

[42:12] Than we come.

[42:27] realize Lily Nation of Israel, O trial of your tears, For you, the great kingdom, the glory of this, And all this earth's not ever waiting for They ground in the storm

[43:39] Turn us to the waiting, the better for the great night.

[43:57] The greatest even, the Sorgrond gr Sparkle night.

[44:20] Think I pray again. Revive in your name.

[44:35] A darkest present, This kind has never As these patients who are long My bloodline the Colossus of earth let the sky Life, ancient sweet people, the world has been all mine.

[45:44] There's promises, which are the same.

[46:00] Love, heaven well the same, Thy birth, God is the seed.

[46:18] O Lord, we pray that thou would do what no man can do.

[46:30] Apply the promise. Lord, speak it into the souls of thy people. Grant them this sweet assurance, this sacred confidence, Lord, in thy eternity, in thy unchangeable nature, in thy love, in thy precious blood, in thy work as an intercessor.

[46:56] Lord, grant this sacred truth to be grounded in our hearts. And Lord, bless us, we pray thee, with the promise of the prospect to be with Christ.

[47:09] The end of the journey. Lord, it will not make death to be the terror. It will be the comfort he will be, but the porter at the heavenly gate, to bring the pilgrim in.

[47:22] But Lord, we must ask thee to forgive what has been amiss, what has been of the flesh. O wash away. Take us now home in peace and safety, and abide with us.

[47:35] May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship and the communion of the Holy Spirit, remain with us, now and forever.

[47:50] Amen.